On the way home...

Hi friends!

After 10 days here in Israel, everything's finally coming to a close. It's 4 am in the Tel Aviv airport, and I am currently typing this as everyone is desperately fighting off sleep. The rest of the non-extending group is enjoying a combination of kosher McDonalds (Chicken McNuggets just aren't as good when they taste like real chicken) and the last falafels of the trip, with conversation being a contest of who is the most tired.

I think its safe to say, though, that we are SO tired not just because of the time, but also because we topped off the trip with a great afternoon and evening. After arriving in Tel Aviv this morning, we visited Independence Hall (where Israel declared independence during the, you guessed it, War for Independence), and followed that up with swim time at one of Tel Aviv's perfect, 80-degree-water beaches. We were able to meet up again with our Israeli soldier pals, which was definitely a highlight of the day because they had become a truly awesome part of our trip family, and we had missed them. Finally, we celebrated the trip with one last dinner, and a night out on the beach before making our way to the airport, where we are now. Annnnd that's pretty much it! We board in about 15 minutes, and will be home with you all before we know it. Wish us a good flight, and see you all soon!

-Matthew Krisiloff

Safed

"Yesterday we explored the charming mystical city of Safed (the city of Kabbalah) and traversed one of the highest peaks in Israel, Mount Meron!! Today we're off for Tel Aviv to meet up with our Israeli friends for our last day!"  --Amanda J.

Notes from Students!

"The last 24 hours were the most exciting of my life!"  Nicole stated while enjoying a falafel in pita. 

We're currently relaxing at a rest stop after a long but rewarding morning and sharing our experiences thus far:

"I've been trying a lot of new things and last night everyone really connected over the bedouin dinner, stargazing, and making s'mores by the camp fire. The experience was made even more special by sharing it with so many close friends."
-Nicole

"I've been overloaded with the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in my life.  We have been stargazing in the desert, watching the sunrise at Masada, and cooling off in the waterfalls at Ein Gedi.  I am so tired after waking up at 4:00 am, but I cannot imagine skipping anything that we did today."

-Rachel

"Hi Mom! I'm at a rest-stop by the Dead Sea. Just had a falafel sandwich and dates. I'm having a great, super-hot time! Love you!"

- Thom P

Saturday, August 27th - Shabbat in Israel

Today was shabbat.  About half of the group went to the Israel museum.  The contemporary Israeli art was a balance of cutting edge and traditional symbols.  It was very exciting!  There was everything from Andy Warhol to the Dead Sea Scrolls.  The other half of the group took a tour of the pillars of the political system: the parliment (kenneset) and the supreme court building.

At night our new Israeli soldier friends shared gelato with us on Jerusalem's pedestrian mall while discussing the social justice protests that we saw earlier in the day. 

Today was a relaxing and enjoyable day for all where each of us was able to enjoy shabbat rest in our own way and at our own pace.

We check out of the hotel tomorrow morning and then head on to the Bedouin tents!

Shabbat Shalom from Israel

Today began early- meeting our Israeli participants went great and they helped us out on our tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. The participants each had time for their own experiences at the Western Wall and to explore the ancient streets of our history.

We then hit the shuk (outdoor market) and bought tons of fruits and cakes to enjoy over shabbat. Pomegranates and dates are ripe on the trees right now and sweeter than you can even imagine. We had just enough time to shower and change before starting shabbat all together as a community.

More adventures to come!

And so it begins: Travel and First Days in Israel!

Hi there! We’re posting from the Holy Land of Israel after a long and tiring journey of about 15 hours. All members of the group have made it safely and are healthy, of course. The East coast earthquake fortunately did not deter us, and we left JFK on time, had a brief stopover in Zurich, and landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening.

After the scenic bus ride to Jerusalem and introductions to our guide Jamie and guard Oded, we checked into the Jerusalem Gold hotel and settled down for the night. Our first day in Israel was spent exclusively in Jerusalem – in the morning we participated in a seminar on Middle East affairs with the British ex-pat Neil Lazarus. We lunched in Liberty Bell Park (named for a replica of the Liberty Bell given by the United States to Israel as a gift) and then made our way to Yad Vashem, where we participated on a 3-hour tour complete with some hangers-on from the Glen Beck tour of the Holy Land. There were very nice and it was interesting to see some American faces out of context of the States.

           

After Yad Vashem we ate dinner at the hotel and made our way to the German neighborhood of Jerusalem for evening entertainment. The area is a lively bunch of streets consisting of any manner of restaurants and shops, and a good number of the group partook in Middle Eastern falafel and schwarma. We then returned to the hotel and caught up on sleep.

           

Today is a big day- Shabbat begins at Sundown, and there will be a bona-fide Shabbos dinner and ceremony once it’s under way. At the breakfast table (which is going on right now) we’ve been introduced to our Israeli soldier companions who will be staying with us for the next five days. We will spend the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, starting at the Western Wall and working our way from there. It should be an exciting day. Until next time…  

Packing...

While packing and thinking... two things that go together well, I decided to call my father.
He asked me, "Are your students going to do a BLOG? I'd LOVE that! Then I could see how much fun you are having!"

While my father's use of internet lingo always sounds just a little funny to me, I think that his idea is a good one. If MY father wants to see what I'm doing and would feel a little happier just seeing pictures of us all safe and enjoying ourselves- then all the more so all the students parents might appreciate that too.

So, Bus 953... This is our blog.